The Denver Nuggets end tournament play with a 2-2 record. It’s impossible for them to win as the wildcard, as the Suns have a 3-1 record. If the Rockets beat the Mavericks or the Pelicans beat the Clippers, they have 3 wins and push the Nuggets down to 2nd or 3rd. If the Rockets lose and the Pelicans lose, it becomes a 2-2-2-2-2 tie and goes down to PD. However, Nuggets have a -10 PD, Rockets have an 18 PD, and Mavericks have a -14 PD. If the Rockets lose by less than 28, they have a PD advantage over Nuggets. If the Mavericks win by more than 28, they have a PD advantage over the Nuggets.
As a European soccer fan I know this format can be really fun. It’s cool seeing teams like the Pacers or Pelicans who let’s be real won’t win the nba championship, have a shot at a trophy. Fun to watch young teams make a run
It’s a shame to me they copied the Champions/Europa/Europa Conference league but didn’t have the groups randomly drawn.
the problem is they half-assed it by not including the NBA G League teams which is how they could have best replicated the European soccer model they were so clearly going for